Ectomycorrhizal fungus diversity and community structure with natural and cultivated truffle hosts: applying lessons learned to future truffle culture

Abstract

Since the first truffle plantations were established in France, Italy and other parts in the world, many studies have been carried out to improve their productivity and sustainability. Success of plantations is clearly related to the mycorrhizal status of the host trees over the years, from inoculated seedlings to truffle-producing trees. The experience gained in monitoring the ectomycorrhizal fungus status in cultivated truffle grounds has allowed us to develop an extensive catalogue of the ectomycorrhizal fungi present in truffle plantations. Herein, we summarize fungal community data from 85 references that represent different truffle studies in natural habitats and plantations. Approximately 25% of the ectomycorrhizae reported in the 85 references are common to most of the studies. In general, more fungal species are detected in productive plantations than in the non-productive ones. Truffle plantations display a diverse ectomycorrhizal fungal community, in which species of the genus Tuber are well represented. Tuber rufum and some members of Boletales are typically restricted to productive truffle plots. On the other hand, Hebeloma, Laccaria and Russula species are mostly associated with unproductive plots. Ectomycorrhizae belonging to Thelephoraceae are frequently found in mature truffle orchards but do not seem to affect sporocarp production. Several biotic and abiotic factors affect the ectomycorrhizal fungus communities associated with truffle orchards. Among them are plantation age, host species and its growth, the surrounding environment (particularly the presence of other ectomycorrhizal hosts), and plantation management. Understanding the ectomycorrhizal fungal communities inhabiting different plantations may give us clues about the dynamics of the targeted truffles and the possibility of identifying mycorrhizal fungal species that are good indicators of successful truffle plantations.

Diversity, population genetics, and evolution of macrofungi associated with animals

“…The microbial community structures have been found to differ between natural and cultivated truffle habitats, between productive and nonproductive plantations, and between different Tuber species and developmental stages of truffles. Belfiori et al (2012) found that the diversity of ectomycorrhizal species is lower in cultivated plantations than in natural habitats, higher in Tuber brumale -colonized plants than that of T. melanosporum -colonized plants (Belfiori et al 2012), and higher in productive plantations than in the nonproductive ones (De Miguel et al 2014). In the T. magnatum natural habitats, the most abundant fungal species belong to Thelephoraceae, followed by Sebacinaceae, Inocybaceae, and Russulaceae (Murat et al 2005; Leonardi et al 2013).…”

“…In the T. magnatum natural habitats, the most abundant fungal species belong to Thelephoraceae, followed by Sebacinaceae, Inocybaceae, and Russulaceae (Murat et al 2005; Leonardi et al 2013). In fact, Thelephoraceae are frequently found in mature truffle orchards, but the Hebeloma, Laccaria, and Russula species seem to associate with unproductive grounds (De Miguel et al 2014). Additionally, Barbieri et al (2007) found that the total bacteria count associated with T. magnatum decreases during the maturation of ascocarps and that α-Proteobacteria is the major bacterial group associated with T. magnatum ascomata.…”

Phytosanitary problems detected in black truffle cultivation. A review

“…However, the role of these species in black truffle fruiting is still unknown nowadays. Several works (De Román and De Miguel, 2001;Reyna et al, 2006;Rubini et al, 2011;De Miguel et al, 2014) report the frequent identification of these species in truffle plantations, but they still have not been related to the life cycle of T. melanosporum.…”

Tuber 2013: scientific advances in sustainable truffle culture

“…Yet, we lack a comprehensive understanding of ECM fungal dynamics in natural truffle sites and plantations. In this context, De Miguel et al (2014) synthesize findings from 85 papers on truffle fungal communities around the world and provide insight on commonly occurring and likely competing ECM fungal species and on the influence of plantation age, host species, surrounding environment, and management practices on species composition. A new understanding of potential fungal species indicators of productive and nonproductive plantations emerges from this study.…”

“…Yet, we lack a comprehensive understanding of ECM fungal dynamics in natural truffle sites and plantations. In this context, De Miguel et al (2014) synthesize findings from 85 papers on truffle fungal communities around the world B. Águeda …”